Lee Jung-Jae became a feeling during the night after acting in the legendary “Sandglass” drama. With its princely appearance, many assume that it has grown in privilege, but few know its difficult past. Unlike the life of luxury people, he was born in extreme-simile poverty to his character of the “play of squid”, Seong Gi-Hun-e endured a demanding childhood.
Far from the imposing figure who is today, the young Lee Jung-Jae was small in stature and nicknamed “Soso”. In an apparition of 2022 in Tvn’s “You Quiz on the Block”, he revealed his painful past. As a child, his family was evicted from their home due to financial struggles, forcing them to a narrow space of a room without a bathroom. In the end, their circumstances worsened and had to live separately.
He remembered that he feels embarrassed for not having been able to afford gifts for the birthdays of friends and having had to hide his fingers when his socks developed holes. Poverty followed him in high school, where he was publicly punished for unpaid lessons, leaving emotional and physical scars.
Beyond the financial struggles, another difficulty weighed on him: the autism of his older brother. From a young age, he took responsibility for taking care of his brother. However, he never saw him as a weight, saying, “It was my family, not a weight to bear. It only meant that I had to be more responsible.” Hiring domestic responsibilities at the beginning made him mature over his years.
Adding to his struggles, once he faced the financial ruin when his agency did not fail, leaving him without pay and debt. However, it has persevered and today it is among the greatest names of entertainment. His role in Netflix’s “Squid Game” catapulted him to global fame, making him the first Korean actor to win the Emmy for best actor.
Thanks to the success of “Squid Game”, his earnings have risen to the stars. Reports indicate that for “Squid Game 2”, his salary per episode is a disconcerting 1.3 billion wins (~ $ 1 million), the highest in the history of Korean drama. Addressing this, he candidly admitted, “There are some misunderstandings, but it is true that I earn a lot.”
With a $ 100 million budget, “Squid Game 2” has become the most expensive drama of Korea, preparing the foundations for another global phenomenon. Driving on this momentum, “Squid Game 3” is scheduled for the first time on June 26th.
In addition to the acting, Lee Jung-Jae has ventured into the direction and production, consolidating its place as the sector power plant. Despite his middle -aged age, he continues to face new challenges, proving himself as inspiration for many.
In his personal life, he has been in public relations with IM-deryung, vice-president of the Daesang group, since 2015. The couple appears frequently to international film festivals and the main prize shows. However, given his status of non -celebrity and mother of two children, they maintain a discreet but strong relationship. IM Se-Ryung was previously married to the president of Samsung Electronics Lee Jae-Yong, with whom she has a son and a daughter.
From the childhood of difficulty becoming a global recognized superstar, the story of Lee Jung-Jae is of resilience and triumph. As he continues to evolve as an actor, director and entrepreneur, his journey remains a source of inspiration for dreamers all over the world.
